Pittsburgh Steelers: Studs and duds vs. Jets in Week 16

The Pittsburgh Steelers controlled their playoff destiny entering Week 16, but the New York Jets out-dueled Pittsburgh 16-10.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers overachieved and surprised fans before Week 16, they utterly underachieved and disappointed against the New York Jets. Pittsburgh controlled its playoff hopes. All the Steelers had to do was defeat the then 5-9 Jets and then take care of business against Baltimore’s backups in Week 17. They couldn’t do it.

Now, the Tennessee Titans control their path to the playoffs. If the Titans win next week against the Houston Texans, who already clinched the AFC South and might play their backups, then Tennessee gets the sixth seed. Pittsburgh needs to win in Week 17 and hope the Titans find a way to lose. Considering how well Ryan Tannehill is playing, that seems unlikely.

Week 16 is the second week in a row where the Steelers defense held an opponent to below 18 points and Pittsburgh lost. This week, all duds come from the disappointing offense.

Stud: Mason Rudolph, QB

In the reverse of what happened in Week 12, the Steelers called on Rudolph when the offense needed a boost. Mike Tomlin sent rookie Devlin Hodges to the bench in favor of Rudolph in the second quarter. Hodges threw two interceptions in the first half, including one in the end zone.

Surprisingly, Rudolph caught fire immediately. Late in the first half, he threw a great pass to Diontae Johnson for Pittsburgh’s only touchdown of the game. Rudolph completed 14 of his 20 pass attempts for 129 yards and that touchdown in roughly a half of football. He posted a 104.0 passer rating.

Unfortunately, Rudolph suffered an injury in the second half, and Hodges returned to action. Pittsburgh’s offense stagnated from there.

Dud: Devlin Hodges, QB

Not scoring a touchdown against New York’s rotating, subpar cornerback is just disgraceful. Struggling against the Buffalo Bills is one thing, but turning the ball over twice against the Jets is ridiculous. Hodges looked like a practice squad player on Sunday. He looked like a practice squad player in Week 15.

It’s astounding how some teams have backups like Teddy Bridgewater, and Pittsburgh can’t consistently put an NFL-caliber quarterback on the field. While the Steelers have overachieved this season, considering all of their injuries and inexperience, they had a real shot at the playoffs. That door may have shut on Sunday because Pittsburgh couldn’t put up 17 points against the Jets.